Airsacculitis in fourteen juvenile southern Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii)

BACKGROUND: Airsacculitis is a clinical condition which has been reported in a range of primates species, including orangutans. METHODS: This report describes the occurence and management of airsacculitis in fourteen juvenile Southern Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii) that presented beween January 1st 1999 and January 31st 2001 at the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCC&Q), Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia (S 2 degrees 43' 49.2"; E 111 degrees 38' 54.2"). Details of the signalment, clinical history, presenting clinical signs, clinicopathological findings and bacterial isolates in each case were reviewed. RESULTS: Cough, halitosis and nasal discharge were the most frequently observed clinical signs. A range of Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from infected air sacs, including Pseudomonas sp., Enterobacter sp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae. A simple drainage and lavage technique was used in cases where surgical intervention was indicated, in combination with local and systemic antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of early diagnosis, prompt management and antibiotic selection, based on bacterial culture and sensitivity profiles, is outlined.     

Orangutan Long Call Degradation and Individuality Over Distance: A Playback Approach

Researchers have documented individual vocal recognition in several primate species but do not know whether the changes in acoustical parameters that might occur over distance influence the informational content of a call that relates to individuality. Accordingly, we performed playback experiments using male orangutan long-distance calls (long calls) and rerecorded them at increasing distances from the source. We aimed to determine 1) which acoustical parameters changed over distance and 2) whether the percentage of calls that a discriminant analyses would assign to the correct individual would change over distance. High-frequency harmonics were attenuated and lost with increasing distance, but other parameters did not change. The percentage of calls assigned to the correct individual did not change over distance, indicating that even though there are some acoustical changes over distance the opportunity for other individuals to recognize the caller remains similar until ≤300 m, which was the maximum distance at which we rerecorded calls. Extending similar experiments to other primate species and other taxa, while subsequently conducting experiments to assess whether individual discrimination by receivers is indeed based on relatively stable acoustical parameters, would forward our understanding of acoustic communication.     

Dendrosoter protuberans (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), An Important Elm Bark Beetle Parasitoid

The most favourable period for Dendrosoter protuberans development occurred when wasps were introduced 16 days after the beginning of Scolytus multistriatus development (the greatest number of emerged wasps per a single parasitoid female with a very positive sexual index and high percentage of parasitised elm bark beetle larvae). No significant differences were observed in parasitoid efficiency between the 11^th and the 21^st day. The most unfavourable period for elm bark beetle parasitisation was six days after the beginning of S. multistriatus development (a low reproduction of D. protuberans, a negative sexual index and a low number of destroyed S. multistriatus larvae). The reproduction of both the elm bark beetle and D. protuberans was greater in the first, than in the second generation. The developmental period of D. protuberans in the first generation was approximately two days longer than in the second generation. Furthermore, the development of females was 1-2 days longer than the development of males. D. protuberans developed most successfully on S. multistriatus (the most abundant parasitoid reproduction with the longest developmental period and a very positive sexual index that resulted in a high percentage of parasitised larvae) and then on S. ensifer, S. pygmaeus and Pteleobius kraatzi. On the other hand, S. scolytus larvae were the poorest host of all elm species - the reproduction of D. protuberans in this species was the scarcest with the shortest period of development and a negative sexual index, hence larval parasitisation was the lowest.     

The influence of temperature, photoperiod and plant type on the predation rate of Macrolophus pygmaeus on Myzus persicae

The effect of temperature and photoperiod on the rate of predation of nymphs and adults of the predator Macrolophus pygmaeus was studied using Myzus persicae prey feeding on egg-plant and pepper plants. The experiments were conducted at three photoperiods (16L:8D, 12L:12D and 8L:16D), three temperatures (20, 25 and 30 °C), and at 65% r.h. The rate of predation increased with temperature. Predation rate was affected by photoperiod on pepper but not on egg-plant. Females and fifth instar nymphs were the most voracious stages followed by third and fourth instar nymphs and males. First and second instar nymphs consumed far fewer aphids. Predation rate was higher on leaves of pepper than egg-plant, especially at 30 °C. Variation in the efficacy of this predator is discussed.     

脐腹小蠹聚集信息素的提取鉴定和引诱效果

为了确定脐腹小蠹Scolytus schevyrewi Semenov的聚集信息素成分,对脐腹小蠹成虫后肠和虫粪的挥发物进行了提取鉴定和引诱试验。经气相色谱-质谱联用仪(GC-MS)鉴定,结果表明:雌成虫后肠挥发物成分有十四烷、十五烷、十六烷、十八烷、十九烷、十二酸和十四酸,其中十四酸含量最高,达到了42.2%;雄成虫后肠挥发物成分有十一烷、十四烷、十五烷、十六烷、十八烷和十九烷,十六烷(23.3%)和十九烷(21.5%)含量最多;雌成虫虫粪挥发物成分有十一烷、十二烷、十四烷、十六烷、十八烷和十九烷,十九烷含量最高,为29.9%;雄成虫虫粪挥发物成分有庚烷、十一烷、十二烷、十四烷、十六烷、十八烷、二十二烷和二十三烷,庚烷(20.5%)相对含量最多。此外,借助触角电位仪测定了脐腹小蠹雌雄虫触角对这些单一物质刺激的反应,结果显示,触角电位相对值较大的为十二酸、十四酸和十八烷。雌雄间比较发现十二酸、十四酸和十九烷刺激后雌雄间触角电位相对值差异达到了显著水平(P0.05)。田间诱捕结果显示,十二酸、十四酸、十九烷对脐腹小蠹的引诱数量雌雄间差异性达到了显著水平(P0.05),成虫诱捕总量最多的是十八烷,诱捕量达32.1头,其后诱捕量较多的为十二酸(24.1头)和十四酸(22.7头)。可以推断,十八烷、十九烷、十二酸和十四酸是脐腹小蠹聚集信息素的主要成分。     

圈养婆罗洲猩猩部分血液参数值测定

采集6家动物园18只健康婆罗洲猩猩(Pongo pygmaeus)的24份血液样本,进行血液常规及生化参数检测。依据性别(雄性14份,雌性10份)和年龄(幼龄个体7份,亚成体6份,成体11份)对研究对象进行分组,分别统计不同组别样本的血液参数值,并进行组间比较。研究结果表明,雌、雄两组之间血液参数没有显著差异(One Way ANOVA test,P> 0.05)。淋巴细胞(LYM)比率随着年龄的增长而降低(One Way ANOVA test,F=5.200,P <0.05)。雄性成年个体血液中的谷丙转氨酶(ALT)浓度显著高于雌性个体(One Way ANOVA test,F=4.911,P <0.05),其他参数未呈现性别间差异(One Way ANOVA test,P> 0.05)。总蛋白(TP)呈现年龄组间的差异(One Way ANOVA test,F=4.715,P <0.05)。所检测圈养婆罗洲猩猩血液中葡萄糖含量较高,应在饲养过程中给予关注。     

Sexual resurgence and possible induction of reproductive synchrony in a captive group of orangutans

In April 1985, a 22-year-old group-living female orangutan gave birth to her second infant, marking an interbirth interval of 12 years, 2 months. The timing and patterning of sexual activity displayed by the group of two females and one male over a 3-year period were analyzed to identify variables that might account for this female's sexual resurgence. Variables considered were (1) movement to a new habitat, (2) opening of a vaginal stricture, (3) addition of a second female to the group, (4) male sexual resurgence, and (5) copulatory synchrony. None of these variables alone could account for the resurgence of fertility, although several of them account for the increase in copulatory frequency. This suggests that a combination of factors may be operating, including the induction of fertility via the presence of another cycling female. This induction effect has been described for rhesus macaques, and since this orangutan group meets the conditions necessary for such an induction effect, it is offered as another possible variable influencing fertility. Indices of pregnancy determination, as they relate to gestation lengths and prematurity of infants, also are evaluated and compared.     

Physical Mapping of Human 7q and 14q Subtelomeric DNA Sequences in the Great Apes

Phylogenetic divergence of the members of the Pongidae familyhas been based on genetic evidence. The terminal repeat array(T₂AG₃) has lately been considered as an additional basis toanalyze genomes of highly related species. The recent isolationof subtelomeric DNA probes specific for human (HSA) chromosomes7q and 14q has prompted us to cross-hybridize them to the chromosomesof the chimpanzee (PTR), gorilla (GGO) and orangutan (PPY) tosearch for its equivalent locations in the great ape species.Both probes hybridized to the equivalent telomeric sites ofthe long (q) arms of all three great ape species. Hybridizationsignals to the 7q subtelomeric DNA sequence probe were observedat the telomeres of HSA 7q, PTR 6q, GGO 6q and PPY 10q, whilehybridization signals to the 14q subtelomeric DNA sequence probewere observed at the telomeres of HSA 14q, PTR 15q, GGO 18qand PPY 15q. No hybridization signals to the chromosome 7-specificalpha satellite DNA probe on the centromeric regions of theape chromosomes were observed. Our observations demonstratesequence homology of the subtelomeric repeat families D7S427and D14S308 in the ape chromosomes. An analogous number of subtelomericrepeat units exists in these chromosomes and has been preservedthrough the course of differentiation of the hominoid species.Our investigation also suggests a difference in the number ofalpha satellite DNA repeat units in the equivalent ape chromosomes,possibly derived from interchromosomal transfers and subsequentamplification of ancestral alpha satellite sequences.     

Phenotypic diversification and island evolution of pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus group) in the Mediterranean region inferred from geometric morphometrics and molecular phylogenetics

Aim The Mediterranean Basin is a centre of radiation for numerous species groups. To increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying speciation and radiation events in this region, we assessed the phenotypic variability within the Pipistrellus pipistrellus–pygmaeus–hanaki species complex. Although bats form the second largest mammalian order, studies of insular evolution in this group are scarce. We approached this problem from a microevolutionary perspective and tested for the recurrence of the insular syndrome. Location The Mediterranean Basin, with a special focus on isolated populations from Corsica, the Maghreb, Cyprus, Cyrenaica and Crete. Methods Phenotypic variability was assessed by cranial morphometrics using the coordinates of 41 3D landmarks and associated geometric‐morphometric methods. We analysed 125 specimens representing all of the lineages in the species complex. Differences between taxa and between insular and continental populations in cranial size, shape, form and allometries were tested using analyses of variance and visualized using boxplots and canonical variate analysis. Relationships between molecular data from a previous study (cytochrome b sequences) and morphometric data were tested with co‐inertia analyses (RV test) and multivariate regressions. Results The three species were relatively well differentiated in cranial size and shape, and each species showed a significant amount of inter‐population variability. Comparisons of pairs of insular versus continental populations revealed heterogeneities in cranial patterns among island phenotypes, suggesting no recurrent insular syndrome. Molecular and phenotypic traits were correlated, except for molecular and lateral cranium shape. Main conclusions The Pipistrellus pipistrellus – pygmaeus – hanaki species complex exhibits phenotypic variability as a result of the fragmentation of its distribution (especially on islands), its phylogenetic and phylogeographic history and, most probably, other evolutionary factors that were not investigated in this study. We found no recurrent pattern of evolution on islands, indicating that site‐specific factors play a prevailing role on Mediterranean islands. The correlation between molecular and phenotypic data is incomplete, suggesting that factors other than phylogenetic relationships, potentially connected with feeding ecology, have played a role in shaping cranial morphology in this species complex.